Chloe and the Prospector

Old Joseph was a prospector
  His love was all for gold
He searched throughout the desert
  through the heat and through the cold
But up on Superstition Mount
  his water all ran dry          
When a shining spring appeared
  before his weary eye.

And fast beside that fountain
 in the moonlight's fading glow
Stood a wise and ancient jackalope
 whose coat was white as snow;
And underneath the palm trees,
 her face as black as night
Was Chloe, sitting, singing 
 in the morning light:


Come tumblin' down
Come tumblin' down
Not until the walls come tumblin' down
Step up to the fountain's brink
From its waters you may drink
But you cannot bear them with you
 till the walls come tumblin' down.



Now Chloe shook her timbrel
  And she stilled the old man's fears:  
"You may drink and cast aside
  "Your burden of the years;
"For this is Hope Eternal
  "And the Fountain of Rebirth,    
"And this the shining Jackalope
  "Who walks the earth.

"For from that ruined city 
  "In the valley far below
"Like Phoenix from the ashes rose,
  "A greater one shall grow;
"And as these waters flow, 
  "So spring the hopes of mortal men,
"So we shall guard them till the
  "Phoenix burns again."



Come tumblin' down
Come tumblin' down
Not until the walls come tumblin' down
Step up to the fountain's brink
From its waters you may drink
But you cannot bear them with you
 till the walls come tumblin' down.



Joseph's head was heavy,             
  But his heart was like a rock;
He said, "This foolish prophecy
  "Is silly woman's talk.
"This fountain's magic waters
  "Are for any man to take;
"I'll sell it as elixir
  "And my fortune make."

Chloe heard him speaking,
  And she started up to grieve:
"The city cannot know us;
  "That is why you cannot leave."
But Joseph filled his canteens
  And he shouldered up his load
And no hand was raised against him 
  As he hit that road.



Come tumblin' down
Come tumblin' down
Not until the walls come tumblin' down
Step up to the fountain's brink
From its waters you may drink
But you cannot bear them with you
 till the walls come tumblin' down.



Young Joseph left the fountain;
  Toward home he wandered on
And he's been out there wandering
  A century and gone
At dawn you'll hear him singing
  A mournful lonely sound;
For Joseph cannot come home
  Till the walls come tumblin' down.


Come tumblin' down
Come tumblin' down
Not until the walls come tumblin' down
Step up to the fountain's brink
From its waters you may drink
But you cannot bear them with you
 till the walls come tumblin' down.